Or are they just a figment of someones imagination….
I’m fine. most of the Tims I know are fine.
There’s a number of reasons why.
When I sit down to put this nonsense together, I always have a wee look at the main news, which gives me a chance to put everything into context. This morning , the big story is around a man in Manchester trying to sell a baby.
Astonishing. They’re sick of Raheem Sterling already.
£49m.
£200,000 a week.
Their ground holds about 40,000. At two home games a month, that’s £10 each just to pay his wages.
Of course the tv money, and the money from their owners will make up the shortfall, but it’s obscene whichever way you look at it, and i’d have a great deal of difficulty remaining a supporter if Celtic ever went down that path.
Which to be fair, doesn’t look very likely.
Mind you, there is always the other extreme…
New Celtic signing and self confessed flop ( See Scottish Sports media ) Nadir Ciftci has taken out an advert in the Dundee Courier to thank Dundee United and its fans for the two years he spent there.
Maybe we have got him all wrong.
Gary Mackay Steven, who presumably would have been consulted about his personality, is happy enough to be playing alongside him again;
I’m glad he is here He is a really good player and will add something different from what we already have here.
“He looked really sharp when he came on against Sociedad and gave a glimpse of what he can do.
“I know personally what he is capable of and he will be a great addition to the squad. He is a big strong boy up front with a physical presence, but he has a lot of skill as well.
“I didn’t really speak to him before he came. Obviously, I was hearing rumours. I spoke to him briefly when we trained at St Andrews last week but nothing about Celtic.
“So it was quite surreal when he came into training at Lennoxtown for the first time, seeing him in the changing room with Stuart as well, wearing the colours of Celtic.
“I have no doubts Nadir will cope [with the expectations at Celtic]. He is a confident lad on and off the park. He will show that in every game he plays and I’ve no doubts he will be a big star here.
“He was a fans’ favourite at United and I’m sure he will be a fans’ favourite here. He is the type of player who gets bums off seats and I can’t wait for him to show it with Celtic.
“Nadir and I have a good understanding on the pitch. The understanding Stuart and I have with him can only help Celtic.
“We played together a lot at United and know each other’s games inside out. It can only be a benefit on and off the park.”
Mackay Steven also gave some insight into the dressing room ritual of being the new kid in town.
“He will have to sing a song as a new player here. He’s got that to look forward to when we are in the hotel before the Stjarnan game on Wednesday.
“He had to sing one when he joined United. I think he sung a national anthem or something. It wasn’t the best, so he’ll have to do a little bit better than that this time.”
Hmmm, the theme from Jaws doesn’t have any words, so he’ll have to think of something. Maybe someone can help him….
Wonder what Anthony Stokes sung on his first day ? He gave us a hint when he tweeted his support for new UFC champion conor MacGregor at the weekend.
That freedoms light might shine through the foggy dew
Derk Boerrigter is injured again, but there is an upside this time. The club have moved to recoup some of the money wasted on this fragile forward by introducing the latest in a line of Celtic accessories, spotted by Hullbhoy on twitter;
Meanwhile, as we noted in the first paragraph, the professional Scottish sports media, and Matt Lindsay, are getting right behind Celtic’s champions league campaign.
Let’s see if you can spot the actual headline, two days before a crucial European game, used by the Heralds chief football man-imagine having to ask him if your article is good enough for publication, and the embarrassment if he said no- from these three.
Ronny Ready To Roar Again!
Celts Bought Quickly To Ensure They Are Prepared
Forgiveness will not be forthcoming for Ronny Deila if Celtic come up short in Champions League quest
Shouldn’t be too difficult.
However, Lindsays piece does give us something to ponder….
THERE are still some Celtic fans, a sizeable number in fact, who are frustrated by the Parkhead club’s frugal signing policy despite their rude financial health.
Really ?
Where ?
Go on Matt.
Name three.
Speaking of misleading headlines…
Celtic boss Ronny Deila urges SFA disciplinary panel to go
softly softly on Ciftci over biting rap
Alison MacConnell in the Evening Times. however, thats not what Ronny said at all:
“We knew when we signed him that he could be out for the start of the season if he is banned for some games, but we are prepared for that,” he said.
“He is a player we have watched for a long time and we wanted to bring him here because we believe he can do something special.
“We have seen him often enough to know that he is a big, powerful player and he is a handful for any central defence. He is so difficult to play against.
“Even if he is banned for league games, he will still be available to us for European matches, so he will still be able to feature. It is not ideal, but of course we were aware of it and we will deal with it when it comes.
“He is still a young player and he will mature. He is a good player, but we know that he can get even better if he does the right things and plays the game the right way on and off the pitch at Celtic.”
What Ronny did say was that he was happy with the way his new signings have settled in so far, and how they have performed on the pitch, which in turn, is a story in itself.
Let’s take another quote from the same Times story, and see if we can come up with something a little more, well, cheerful.
Those little things can make a really big difference to a new player coming into a club. Nadir is a confident lad anyway, but I think doing something like that means that your confidence is high from the very beginning.
New Signings Impress Ronny.
Forty eight hours from the start of another Champions League game Celtic boss Ronny Deila is pleased that his new players are settling, and he’s delighted with the start made by Nadir Ciftci, who contributed to Gary Mackay Stevens winner against Spanish cracks Real Sociedad.
“Those little things can make a really big difference to a new player coming into a club. Nadir is a confident lad anyway, but I think doing something like that means that your confidence is high from the very beginning.
“That can be so important. But we have been impressed with Dedryck Boyata, too, and the way he has come in and settled into defence.
“This season there has not been huge changes to the team and things have been relatively settled. We will see what happens between now and the end of the transfer window.”
With Deila not wasting any time in replacing those players who left last season, there’s little doubt that Celtic will be ready for any surprises come Wednesday night.
Thats better. not only is it more accurate, it reflects the mood within the Celtic camp, and probably sums up how most of us feel about the challenge from Stjarnan.
As usual , we can expect the last minute scoops telling us that players are either wanted by other clubs, or have already decided they are going after the qualifiers.
Most of us are aware that this may still be the case with Virgil van Dijk, but Ronny has said he will not be going to a mid table English club, and so far, there’s nothing to suggest that he’s wrong.
Sure, there’s the odd story about Southampton and Swansea, but all they can offer him is a stepping stone to a big club in a big league, and to be honest, he already has that.
Of course there’s the money, but he’ll get that one day anyway.
The negative stories about Celtic are par for the course ahead of a big game, but this time there might be a more sinister motive.
As we know, the appeal from Hector took place last week,as he tries to establish on the eyes of the law that the original Rangers club were involved in massive tax fraud before they fell on their sword to avoid paying anyone, and we know that the club will be informed of the decision before the public.
That could be tricky, but there is a way.
In reality, they will inform the next of kin, who currently reside in the family home, and if it’s gone badly for them, then they will need the services of Level 5 PR more than ever.
Come to think of it, if they are the same club, and those EBT payments really were genuine loans, why don’t they just ask for them to be repaid ?
That would bring some much needed cash into the club.
And some good publicity as well.
Speaking of publicity, athlete Lindsey Sharpe, which is a misnomer if i ever saw one, was on twitter last night;
She later apologised, claiming that she thought the phrase referred to Jock Wallace.
Sharpe is her name, not a summary of her mental skills.
Meanwhile, the revolution continues under Mark Warburton over at ibrox…
It’s the Record, in case you couldn’t guess///
Rangers set for talks with former Livingston starlet Andy Halliday
THE former Livingston, Middlesbrough and Bradford winger has been training at Murray Park for the last couple of weeks and impressed enough to earn a contract offer
There’s that word “former ” again
But they let him go…
RANGERS are set to begin contract talks with Andy Halliday as Mark Warburton looks to make him the Ibrox club’s latest signing.
The former Middlesbrough and Livingston midfielder has spent two weeks training at Murray Park and has impressed the new boss and assistant Davie Weir.
Presumably by not looking at the offer, laughing and getting back on the train
Halliday featured in Gers’ 3-2 closed doors defeat to Spurs on Friday and Warburton believes he’s done enough to earn a deal.
Spurs ? It was the London clubs under 19 team. Note the implication behind the omission of that fact…
The 23-year-old is keen to join his boyhood club and MailSport understands that negotiations between Rangers and the player’s representatives will take place this week.
With his boyhood club ?
Meanwhile, it’s understood that Warburton has decided NOT to pursue the signing of ex-Man City full-back Reece Wabara.
Who looked at what was on offer, laughed and got back on the train,
But the Ibrox gaffer is still in discussions with Spurs about potential loan deals for Ryan Fredericks and Harry Winks.
From the refusals given by Wabara and Eustace, it appears the money on offer is not enough for them to drop down to the Scottish first division.
Something you won’t see deduced by our media.
No, they tow the party line.
Exclusive: Law backs Warburton to bring Total Football to Rangers
As Graeme McGarry in the Evening Times tells us, in an article about why Nicky Law thinks a second season in the first division is a “blessing in disguise “
With a year in the Cham- pionship now under their belts, and Warburton introducing a form of “Total Football”, Law believes that with a few more additions to the playing squad, Rangers will be better equipped for two things.
One, to challenge for the title and two, to cope with the step up in class if they do go up.
“We’re hoping that we are more prepared and we know a little bit more about what to expect this year,” he said.
I know exactly exactly what we can expect this year.
Maybe he should also bee a little more careful about using words like “blessing ” . That won’t make him many friends over there.
Still, there is heartening news for the hordes…yesterday was July the 12th, and organisers reported a healthy turnout for the parade in Donegal;
Yesterday, we gave you a picture of the police presence at St. Mirren Park, which prompted some great replies. It reminded me of a mate of mine who applied for a position as a constable, and shortly after completing the written part of the role playing section, he was called back into the room by the sergeant, who informed him he had missed one of the questions.
“Which one ? ” he asked
“What would you do if you witnessed a Celtic supporter being physically abused by one of your colleagues ? ” said the sergeant
” Oh, sorry. I didn’t see it ”
” Congratulations, you can start on Monday. ”
Today, have a look at this, and tell us who it is.
I guess it’s Ally Hunter?
Ally Hunter after throwing the opener into the back of the net on the night Scotland beat Czechoslovakia 2-1 to reach the World Cup finals in Germany in 1974.
i think its ally hunter
Brilliant as usual! Is it just me or does the new Serco manager
look like Russ Abbot??
HH
Abbots are not welcome at the Govan Club, Mike.
Hh
On second thoughts that doesn’t look like Hampden and I now think it’s him playing in a 1-0 defeat at Wembley a wee bit earlier.
Agreed – I’m sure that’s the Wembley game when England scraped a 1-0 win in 1973. Ally played a blinder, and Shilton pulled off a fabulous diving save from a Dalglish volley five minutes from time.
I posted this on the Herald earlier….
Why be positive when you can be totally negative…eh Matthew ?
The article could have been written to talk up RD’s credentials IF we qualify for the CL group stages…
But hey….Who wants positivity…?
That’s not the Scottish way….Not when it comes to Celtic at any rate.
Anybody with half a brain,knows that attracting established “quality” players to the SPFL is virtually impossible….but that shouldn’t stop criticism being hurled Celtic’s way,for failing to do so.
Do we want to see big money signings,complete with a top footballing pedigree, sign on the dotted line for us..? Of course we do…
Will it,in most instances,happen..?..Of course it wont.
A wee bit of realism,now and again, wouldn’t go amiss Mathew.
But then, who wants that ?
Only in Scotland.
Onwards and upwards Celtic…despite the negativity.
Ralph. Listen. Monday mornings at work are bad enough without having to look at the smug ugly hun face of stenographer Matt Lindsay. Arrggghhh.. Does yer many sew?
Apart from that. Excellent read as usual!
Is that Dennis Connaghan the Celtic keeper? I thought he was a great keeper.
Just saw other replies…ally hunter doh!
Total Football.
Beautiful!
Lynsey Sharp.
An irrelevant 3rd rate athlete and an ugly wee cow to boot.
If she went to Crufts there’s probably a good chance she’d get first prize.
Christ sake pal, gie that sexit shite a rest. Its pathetic.
remember my old man being really chuffed when celtic signed him as he couldnt stand Evan Williams as our keeper.
started off brillantly for us but was never the same after the losing that soft goal for scotland .
seems he lost his bottle after that and if i rem right big Conagahan played more times than Ally after that night, shame as he could have been a legend of a keeper
lynsey who what a fucking reptile, just like her club lucky if she finishes third.
Somebody thinks Connaghan was great keeper,must have been on high grade acid ,the guy was one of a long line of shit goalies we signed,remember him throwing the ball into his own goal away to airdrie a complete diddy,the only decent goalies we have had in my lifetime were Simpson, Bonnar,Boruc,Fraser and now Gordon,it was always a failing at Celtic
Would one of these great goalkeepers you claim to have seen (I suspect it was on television, Ibrox, huns end at Celtic Park or Hampden) be Fraser FORSTER as you appear to have forgotten his surname.
Typical of sevco to celebrate failure by getting nonentities and second raters like Ms Sharp to join in yet another Orangefest at the Crumbledome.
Her remarks about a genuine Scottish sporting celebrity and winner ( something she can only dream about) are beneath contempt, very much like the club she supports.
Let her stew in her ignorance and bigotry.
Living in Canada, I watched the Scottish Open yesterday on NBC. Ricki Fowler, the American who won, likes to wear orange (for the colour and not any other reason); he is a very popular player and the American commentator suggested that he was becoming equally popular in Scotland: “Ricki is wearing orange today as he does frequently, and I’ve seen lots of young men in Scotland today on the streets and in the gallery imitating him. He’s making a great impact here in Scotland…” Yesterday was July 12th.
Nice one again, who cares what the knuckle draggers say, they are so stupid they haven’t got the grey matter to work out why the shambles at Sevco and the previous incarnation.
The best comment out of the papers is tha Sevco will win the SPL by 2020, the last three years have been a farce aided and abetted by the so called journo’s in Scotland, to the extent when Thomson from Channel 4 raised serious issues he was assaulted.
The ‘ Peeples” brains are situated in their posteriors., long may the jelly and ice cream continue. Hibees could win the Championship when u look at the quality comparisons, then we will have a league restructure to resolve the bias.
Picture comp – david Sneddon from
Paisley?
More like Davie Sneddon from take the high road lol
I have just e- mailed Police Scotland regarding Miss Sharp’s Twitter comments, asking what action they intend to take, and how a self confessed Rangers fan did not understand what it meant………does she think that we’re all thick as shit, like her??
Aye Ally Hunter who suffered a great deal after that goal v the Czech. Him & Connaghan were 2 goalies big Jock signed it seems pretty much on the basis of several brilliant performances against us – unfortunately the role of Celtic keeper proved too onerous for both of them.
Latchford IMHO was a good goalie as well not as good as Bonner but defo better than Ally & Dennis!! With all the nutritionists around football clubs today Latchford would have easy lost that extra half a stone that seemed to blight him throughout his career!!
Gentlemen I find myself forced to partly agree with Deadbeat about the quality or lack of it amongst Celtic keepers,
In my 40 odd years of watching Celtic I personally consider Gordon Foster and Boruc to have been easily the best and the fact that big Packie is a lovely big man does not make him a great keeper!!!!
Lynsey Sharp is a total disgrace. She knew exactly what she was tweeting…but like all cowards she makes the statement, does the damage and then hides behind the usual contrived “apology” saying she didn’t know the context of the words she used. She knew all right and she should be totally ashamed of herself for slandering the name of a good man who is not here to defend himself. The only reason she is “apologizing” is because sponsors and other officials and supporters of athletics will not be pleased by what she said.
So if her excuse is to be believed, what was the connection between her words and Djokovic? Could somebody in officialdom please ask her what she thinks Djokovic knew?
My question now, is it possible to have an abortion backdated 20 or so years?
Your last sentence is more than as tasteless as anything she said.
Almost agree with Deadhead (Follower of The Grateful Dead are also called Deadheads) Of his goalkeepers, also in my lifetime, I would have to leave Packy off the list. He was good but not brilliant, mainly because of some doubtful defenders he had in front of him.Of Deadhead’s list, I think Simpson was the best. Fraser Forster wasn’t with us long enough to judge.Gordon will be judged over time.It has been a big weakness of ours and cost us big time in recent decades: Gould, Marshall,and lotsn more whose names escape me (Hedman, Kharin, Muggleton (who kept lots of clean sheets!)
@tom o’neill, you’re right, I was so angry firstly at what she said, then secondly for her pitiful excuse for an excuse. I should have taken time to calm down before posting..at least I have the excuse that I was angry…she has no excuse, she posted to insult/offend a section of people that she has contempt for and to entertain her section of the “peepul”.
She is a “public figure” with a public following in the whole of Great Britain, yet she chose to use child abuse as a way to communicate to them…why?
I hope you will tweet her and criticise her..or maybe not?
Naw am no buying that am afraid Funky; you’re simply being reactive to IMO Tom O’Neill rightly so puling you up.
I wonder what the reaction would have been if DeadHead had made Andybhoy & Funky’s comment?
Ralph, these alternative headline slots – where you give the so-called ‘professional sports writers a lesson at their own game – could stand alone as a regular feature in addition to the diary. They’re doing a splendidly good job of giving these clowns are right showing up (without resorting to old ‘Pravda’ days of the Celtic View).
As you already put so much into the diary (and PB’s dairy) and alas, I have neither the skills nor the time to offer suggestions myself, some of the posters of comments in here know how to write a bit I reckon – Maybe someone with a bit of talent and time could take up the mantle…?
?
(Talent optional?)
Hail Hail
Comment lost chaps, if you wouldn’t mind a quick look for it? Cheers
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